A restaurant that had 200 families and businesses calling for its closure after two potentially deadly attacks has had its licence revoked.
Pan-Asian sushi House Monak, in St John's Wood, has remained closed since April 28 when armed males, said to be wearing balaclavas, fled the scene after reportedly threatening staff with knives and starting a fire.
Westminster Council's licensing sub-committee has now agreed that it is “appropriate” to revoke the licence.
A summary notice last Thursday (September 28) reads: “Having carefully considered the committee papers and the submissions made by all parties, both orally and in writing, the committee has decided, after taking into account all the individual circumstances of this case, that it is appropriate for the promotion of the licensing objectives to revoke the licence.”
It was said that an appeal period will commence from the date that all parties receive a “fully reasoned decision” on its closure.
When the Abbey Road restaurant was first told to temporarily close after the fire, the owners said on their Instagram it was closed for “internal works” but promised “we will be back and running soon”.
Since then, it has removed any mention of reopening on its Instagram page and the website monaklondon.com can no longer be accessed. Instead, visiting the page brings up a message from website hosting company Squarespace that the “website expired”.
On its Google profile, Monak has been listed as “permanently closed” for some months.
The Metropolitan Police said that officers were called to the site on April 28 at around 10.30pm to reports of a number of males threatening staff with knives and starting a fire.
A spokesperson said: “The males made off prior to the arrival of police. The fire was extinguished and there were no reported injuries.”
On June 3, a 20-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of arson and theft. He was bailed pending further enquiries.
The force says that enquiries are still ongoing to identify the other males involved.
Why did the Met apply for a licence review?
The Met applied to review Monak’s licence following the attack, and in the application it citied another incident on May 12, 2022, in which shots were reportedly fired at the restaurant.
When asked how police could be sure that customers would be safe if it reopened, the licence holder agreed, saying "you are right".
Referring to the 2022 shooting, the Met wrote in its application that the motive remained unknown, but it was believed a group of customers who had arrived at the restaurant without booking a table were connected.
The document states: “Witnesses stated that suspects were seen running to their cars and driving off at speed, having discharged shots at the front of the premises. At no time did the suspects enter the venue.”
Police said shotgun pellets were found on the floor next to the damaged front door.
It was said CCTV showed customers running to the back of the restaurant out of fear.
Earlier this year the Ham&High saw an email chain in which Cllr Caroline Sargent, the Conservative who represents Abbey Road ward, joined those calling for Monak to be reviewed.
Cllr Sargent said: “We are supporting residents and businesses nearby who, for the past several years, have been plagued by at best nuisance, and at worst crime and disorder associated with the premises.”
According to the email, nearly 200 families felt the impact "on a daily basis”.
Police say anyone with information about the April fire and the other males involved should call 101 quoting reference 7931/28Apr.
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